Method for inputting usernames and passwords to access or use different assets

ABSTRACT

A method for imputing different usernames and passwords using an input device with a display to use different protected assets that requires the inputting of a preselected username into a username enter box and the inputting of a preselected password into a password entry box immediately prior to use. The method includes the steps of designating two or more username keys on said input device, each said username key being assigned with a unique letter or number located on said input device and to a unique username made of a plurality of alpha-number characters, designating two or more password keys on the input device each being assigned with a letter or number located on said input device and to a unique password made of a plurality of alpha-number characters. Next the protected asset is then accessed and the username key and keyword key assigned to the asset is imputed.

This is a utility patent application which claims benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/062,946, filed on Jan. 29, 2008 and acontinuation application of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/362,265, filed on Jan. 29, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention:

This invention pertains to computer security measures for logging onto acomputer or website using pre-assigned usernames and passwords.

2. Description of the Related Art:

Usernames and passwords are commonly used for logging onto variouscomputers, networks and websites. Keeping track of the usernames andpasswords and changing them on a regular basis and then recalling thenew usernames and passwords are very difficult for most computer users.Because usernames and passwords are so commonly used, correctly typingthem each time to use a computer, to open a program, to open a file, toconnect to a network or to visit a website is very time consuming andannoying.

Because most individuals use their memories to recall usernames andpasswords, the usernames and password chosen are usually relativelysimple and easy to memorize. However, many websites are mandating userschoose more complex passwords for security purposes. Complex passwordsmay include use of a capital letter, a required amount ofletters/numbers, distinct characters, etc. These complex passwords canbe difficult to recall.

What is needed is a system that allows the user to easily recall bothsimple and more complex usernames and passwords and automatically andaccurately type them into the computer when needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These objects are met by the system disclosed herein that includes acomputer input device, such as a keyboard, that has a plurality ofprogrammable username keys and a plurality of password keys that can beselectively assigned to different usernames and different passwords,respectively. When a user is required to input a username and passwordto use a computer, to use a network, to open a software program or tovisit a website, the user simply moves the cursor on the display to theproper username and password entry box and touches the proper usernameor and password key, respectively. The username and password assigned tothe username keys and password keys are automatically inputted into theusername and password entry boxes, respectively.

The system includes a username and password recording software programthat presents a username and password recording page where a pluralityof different usernames and passwords and entered. Each username isassigned to a username key and each password is assigned to a passwordkey on the keyboard by the software program. The software program alsopresents a protected asset menu page in which the names of specificprotected assets used or accessed by the user are listed. Protectedassets may be any hardware, network, software program, file or websiteor website account that requires the input of a username and a password.The user then assigns to each protected asset the username key andpassword key associated with the username and password needed to open oraccess the protected asset. The protected asset menu page may include adate column that informs the user when the username and password foreach protected asset was last changed.

In one embodiment, the username keys are grouped together on one side ofthe keyboard and the password keys are grouped together on the oppositeside of the keyboard. Located adjacent to each key is an optional labelwith asset identifying indicia printed thereon that reminds the userthat a particular protected asset has been assigned to the adjacentusername key or password key.

Because the protected asset may be listed adjacent to the username keyand password key, a means for activating or deactivating the usernamekeys and password keys is also provided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a computer keyboard with a plurality ofusername keys and a plurality of password keys that can be selectivelyprogrammed by the user.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the computer keyboard shown in FIG. 1 witha plurality of username keys and the plurality of password keys moreclearly shown.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a table created by the system on thedisplay that is shown to the user that allows the user to assigndifferent usernames and passwords to the username keys and passwordkeys, respectively.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a table created by the system on thedisplay that is shown to the user that allows the user to createdifferent account entities and assign different combinations of usernamekeys and password keys to each account entity, and records the date theusername and passwords were last changed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown a system 10 that allows a user tocreate and record different usernames 45 and passwords 55 for using thecomputer denoted 13 to open or access various networks, various softwareprograms, files, and websites.

The system 10 includes a computer input device, represented as akeyboard 20 that has a plurality of programmable username keys 21-25 anda plurality of password keys 31-35. A software program 15 is used toassign different usernames 45 and passwords 55 to the username keys21-25 and the password keys 31-35, respectively.

During setup, the software program 15 is loaded into the computer 13linked to the keyboard 20. The software program 15 presents on thecomputer's display 14 a User Name and Password Recording page 40, asshown in FIG. 3. The Recording Page 40 presents the assigned Letters orNumbers 1-5 of the programmable username keys 21-25 and the assignedLetters or Numbers 1-5 of the programmable password keys 31-35,respectively. On the Recording Page 40, blank entry lines are providedin which specific usernames 45 and passwords 55 to be entered. Whenfinished, the SAVE button 60 is pressed which automatically assigns theinputted username 45 and password 55 to the username key 21-25 numberand password key 31-35 number. On the Recording Page 40, an Edit button65 and Cancel button 70 are provided that allows the user to edit orchange the username 45 and password 55 assigned to different usernamekeys 21-25 and password keys 31-35, respectively.

When the user is required to enter a username 45 or password 55 to usethe computer 13, to use a password protected program, to access anetwork, to open a software program, or to access a website, the usermoves the cursor on the display to the username or password input fieldand touches one of the pre-programmed username keys 21-25 and passwordkeys 31-35, respectively, on the keyboard 20 which automatically inputsthe username 45 and password 55 associated with the keys 21-25 and31-35, as recording in the Recording Page 40.

The software program 15 is also designed to create a protected assetmenu table 80 shown in FIG. 4 includes an Account column 85 that allowsthe user to create a list of different protected assets and then assignthe username key 21-25 and password key 31-35 recited in the RecordingPage 40. On the menu table 80, a Last Changed date column 100 isprovided that informs the user when the username keys 21-25 and passwordkeys 31-35 associated with the username 45 and passwords 55 were changedfor the asset entity. The new table may be stored into the computer harddrive so that the user may easily select or change the username 45 orpassword 55 at any time, or it may be stored only on the portablestorage device.

As shown in FIG. 2, located below the keys 21-25 and 31-35 are labels105 with indicia 107 printed on them that corresponds to the informationin the menu table 80 shown in FIG. 4. Preferably, the keyboard 20includes an authorization feature, such as a finger print reader 110, akey fob, or a Blue Tooth linked device, that is used as a securitydevice which determines if the user is an authorized user of thekeyboard 20. If the keyboard user is not an authorized user, then theusername keys 21-25 and the password keys 31-35 may inactivate. Also,access to the Recording Page 40 and Menu table 80 is blocked.

In compliance with the statute, the invention described herein has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features.It should be understood however, that the invention is not limited tothe specific features shown, since the means and construction shown, iscomprised only of the preferred embodiments for putting the inventioninto effect. The invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amendedclaims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine ofequivalents.

I claim:
 1. A method for inputting different usernames and passwordsusing an input device with a display to use different protected assetsthat requires the inputting of a preselected username into a usernameentry box and the inputting of a preselected password into a passwordentry box immediately prior to use, said method comprises the followingsteps: a. designating a first group of two or more username keys thatcan be selected by at least touching from an user on said input device,said each said username key being assigned with a unique letter ornumber, as an identifying indicia, located on said input device and to aunique username made of a plurality of alpha-number characters; b.designating a second group of two or more password keys that can beselected by at least touching from said user on said input device, saideach said password key being assigned with a unique letter or number, asan identifying indicia located on said input device and to a uniquepassword made of a plurality of alpha-number characters; c. accessingsaid protecting asset and presenting said username entry box and saidpassword entry box on said display of the input device; d. inputtingsaid username key on said input device associated with said usernameassigned to said protected asset to automatically input said uniqueusername into the username entry box; and, e. inputting said passwordkey on said input device associated with said password assigned to saidprotected asset to automatically input said unique password into thepassword entry box; and f. authorizing the user to access said protectedasset after successful validation of said preselected username andpassword.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said protectedassets includes one of the following group or protected assets: acomputer, a password protected software program, a network, and awebsite.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said input deviceincludes an authorization feature that enables said input device to beused.
 4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein each said usernamekey is assigned a single alpha-numeric symbol.
 5. The method as recitedin claim 1, wherein each said keyword key is assigned a singlealpha-numeric symbol.